Share This Story!

Letters to the editor: Feb. 12

After 225 years, our election process should have evolved into something better than coin tosses, leaked rumors, and false mailings. It has become nothing more than a never-ending reality show where the candida

After 225 years, our election process should have evolved into something better than coin tosses, leaked rumors, and false mailings. It has become nothing more than a never-ending reality show where the candidates make spectacles of themselves and those in the media become stars. By the time November arrives, most of the public actually paying attention are brain dead; then a two month reprieve until it all starts again in January.

In 1960, John Kennedy didn’t announce he was running until Jan. 2. Today some of these people have been at it almost a year now. The cycle should be shortened to the year of the election. No one should be able to announce until January and everyone would have to have their paperwork in by the end of the month. Next, all primaries should be on the same day nationwide, about the middle of July with both conventions held the last two weeks of the month. The final candidates would then have three months; more than enough time to duel it out!

Dennis Stone,

Las Cruces

Why object to grass-roots politics in Las Cruces?

Interesting that Jeffrey Isbell, a self-proclaimed conservative political operative, would object to the efforts of grass-roots, volunteer-fueled organizations intent on improving Doña Ana County.

My difficulty with the local conservative focus is that it seems more obstructive than constructive. I was pleased to collect 80 of the more than 6,000 signatures to put the minimum wage increase on the ballot. It was easy. I positioned myself at the Branigan Library entrance and asked folks if they would sign the petition. Most were for it, but several said they would vote against it. They signed all the same, saying it deserved a vote.

What a disappointment when the majority of councilors decided to ignore the City Charter’s process and alter the wording. Conservatives say they want less government, yet refuse to let voters decide basic issues … then wonder why their candidate are defeated.

Gordon Hill,

Las Cruces

Methane leaks threaten residents of New Mexico

Wherever oil and gas wells operate, it is common practice to leak, vent and flare methane , a toxic pollutant and a greenhouse gas with 86 times the climate change-causing impact as carbon dioxide. The San Juan Basin is peppered with oil and gas infrastructure and clouded in the highest concentrations of methane in the country.

The recent methane leak in California is proof methane is toxic, and New Mexicans should care. Thousands have been evacuated from their homes by a major leak at a storage facility, and though we don’t have any local storage facilities like the one in Aliso Canyon, we are a subject to longer term risks from methane leaks.

Climate change will make New Mexico even hotter and drier. We already live in the desert, and further strains on our water resources will be devastating. Meanwhile, the oil and gas industry continues to demand millions of gallons of fresh water to frack new wells.

Recently, both the BLM and EPA have proposed new rules to cut the release of methane into the atmosphere. It’s a good start, but EPA still needs to propose new rules to cut emissions from existing source of pollution, not only new operations.

ViAnn Beadle,

Las Cruces

Weather will have termites swarming soon

Termites will be swarming in a week or two because of the weather system. If you see termite swarmers in your home, you need to get it inspected. If you see them outside, it is not necessary, but may be a good idea, just to make sure they aren’t inside your home.

If you find termites in your home and want to have it treated, be very careful. I have received a couple of emails recently from people who have had their homes treated by incompetent companies. When you have a termite company come out, ask for and check references. There are very good companies out there, but there are obviously some that need a lot more training, or to just another line of work.

This also goes for companies that regularly treat your homes for general pests. There are good companies who do this, but if they come in your home and spray your baseboards, that is not pest management. That is a gimmick to kill time in your home so you think you are getting your money’s worth. The same if they just routinely spray around the outside of your home, which does nothing except kill a few bad bugs and probably a lot of good bugs.

They should come to your home, inspect it inside and out, and the crawl space if you have one and then treat any areas where they find a pest infestation. One bug isn’t an infestation and doesn’t require a lot of pesticides. Keep in mind, pesticides are more dangerous than pests and can seriously impact the health of your family, particularly your children, as well as your pets.